Env Sci Final

the percentage of fuel used that actually moves your car forward

14%

water soluble sulfur and nitrogen oxides produced by burning fossil fuels can be removed from an industrial source with this technology

a wet scrubber

this is using devices to move, store, of focus solar energy

active solar collection

this is what humans use most freshwater for

agricultural irrigation

the US consumes more of this renewable energy than any other renewable energy source

biomass

what is daily double?

blue baby syndrome; nitrates

the world's most abundant fossil fuel

coal

this continues to be the main fuel used to generate electricity in the United States

coal

this is fractionated to separate the chemicals used for gasoline, lubricants, plastics, and other products

crude oil

these are built to generate electricity, prevent flooding, and provide irrigation

dams

a region of land that is periodically flooded when a river overflows

flood plain

this represents only about 2.5% of all the water on our planet

freshwater

methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor are all part of this group among others

greenhouse gasses; most abundant- water vapor, rated #1- CO2 (everything else is more potent)

this element makes up the majority of the atmosphere

nitrogen

the primary causes of acid deposition are these two oxides

nitrous and sulfur

where are many wind farms considering moving to due to less turbulence and greater wind speeds?

offshore

the growing of this crop releases methane into the atmosphere

rice

the part of the atmosphere where weather patterns are largely determined

troposphere

The average American produces how much trash per day? A. 4.3 pounds B. 1,500 pounds C. 28.2 pounds D. 243 million tons

A. 4.3 pounds

Why has the U.S. government been opposed to passing legislation targeting emission reductions in the past? A. Because the U.S. Senate has opposed emissions reductions as much of the economy depends on fossil fuels. B. Because the U.S. Senate transferred the responsibility of addressing emissions to the EPA. C. Because the US Supreme Court ruled that carbon dioxide was a pollutant that should be monitored by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. D. Because by 2010, mayors from all 50 states were part of the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.

A. Because the U.S. Senate has opposed emissions reductions as much of the economy depends on fossil fuels.

Green uses the example of mandated ethanol in fuel as a case study in regulations gone wrong. How might Research, Development and Demonstration, emphasized by Schneider, have avoided the environmental problems associated with corn-based fuel ethanol? A. By using data from the demonstration phase to document environmental problems and thus the need for policy revisions B. By providing more research investments for ethanol C. By developing new technology to produce ethanol D. By regulating the emissions associated with ethanol

A. By using data from the demonstration phase to document environmental problems and thus the need for policy revisions

Kenneth Green clearly does not support regulations as a policy tool for addressing climate change. Which of the following statements is one of his reasons? A. Regulations are inefficient because pollution crosses county and state borders. B. Regulations are inefficient because polluting activities are limited to only a few aspects of human life. C. Costs and benefits of regulations tend to be consistent. D. Regulations create clear costs and benefits.

A. Regulations are inefficient because pollution crosses county and state borders.

You accidentally flush your cell phone. Where will it most likely be found at a wastewater treatment facility? A. bar screen B. aquifer C. clarifier D. grit chamber E. aeration basin

A. bar screen

Why is the global warming potential of carbon dioxide so high when its relative heat-trapping ability is so low? A. because CO2 is more abundant in the atmosphere and therefore contributes more to the greenhouse effect B. because greenhouse gases absorb some of the long-wave radiation and re-emit it into the lower atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect C. because carbon dioxide is used as a point of reference by which other greenhouse gases are measured D. because greenhouse gas emission from human activity results mostly in carbon dioxide

A. because CO2 is more abundant in the atmosphere and therefore contributes more to the greenhouse effect

Which of the following products of a wastewater treatment facility is often put on farm fields as a fertilizer? A. biosolids B. effluent C. grit D. ammonia E. methane gas

A. biosolids

What color smoke coming from a coal-fired power plant would indicate wasted fuel? A. black B. red C. clear D. green E. white

A. black

Which of the following fishing methods would be most appropriate if a fisherman wants to catch benthic fish? A. bottom-trawling B. longline fishing C. trawling in open water D. driftnets

A. bottom-trawling

The ozone hole is largely a consequence of the use of _______. A. chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants B. fossil fuels C. nitrogen oxides D. carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide

A. chlorofluorocarbon refrigerants

The three fossil fuels that we use today to meet our energy needs are __________. A. coal, natural gas, and crude oil B. electricity, crude oil, and hydropower C. coal, natural gas, and electricity D. crude oil, hydropower, and geothermal energy

A. coal, natural gas, and crude oil

If the recycling loop is to work and become economically sustainable, then _______. A. consumers and businesses must purchase the products made from recycled materials B. programs must require recycling in all cities C. all manufactured products must be ecolabeled D. the number of recycled products must increase

A. consumers and businesses must purchase the products made from recycled materials

Point sources of air pollution are _______. A. from a specific location from which large quantities of pollutants are discharged B. foul-smelling, reddish-brown gases that contribute to smog and acid deposition C. the diffuse releases of pollution from automobiles and homes into the atmosphere D. the release of pollution from many unidentifiable sources indoors.

A. from a specific location from which large quantities of pollutants are discharged

Hydropower uses the _____ energy of water to generate electricity. A. kinetic B. thermal C. potential D. nuclear

A. kinetic

ozone is made of _________ and is broken down by ____________. A. oxygen; chlorine B. hydrogen; zinc C. sodium; molybdenum D. chlorine; fluorine

A. oxygen; chlorine

Substances that can harm a human when eaten are called _____. A. toxic B. corrosive C. ignitable D. reactive

A. toxic

About how long have wastewater treatment plants been in existence? A. 50 years B. 120 years C. 190 years D. 220 years E. 300 years

B. 120 years

Which of the following statements about clean coal technology is true? A. Clean coal technology is too expensive to be considered for the near future. B. Clean coal technologies will reduce pollution associated with burning coal, but will not reduce carbon dioxide emissions. C. Clean coal technologies will decrease the cost of using coal. D. Clean coal technologies will allow us to reduce the pollution produced by burning coal to zero.

B. Clean coal technologies will reduce pollution associated with burning coal, but will not reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Which of the following is an example of a product found in a "throwaway society" like the United States? A. Bringing your own coffee cup to coffee shops. B. Deciding between paper or plastic at the grocery store. C. Silverware. D. Reusable cloth diapers.

B. Deciding between paper or plastic at the grocery store.

The late Stephen Schneider recommended a variety of strategies to address climate change. Which of his recommended strategies is similar to a strategy recommended by Green? A. Public-private partnerships to make renewable energy systems cheaper B. Dumping fees, such as a carbon emission fee C. Cap-and-trade programs with real cuts in emissions D. Mandated performance standards for cars and buildings

B. Dumping fees, such as a carbon emission fee

Which of the following descriptions of primary extraction is accurate? A. Primary extraction captures 90% of the total oil deposit. B. Primary extraction may leave as much as two-thirds of the total oil deposit below ground. C. Primary extraction is more expensive than secondary extraction. D. Primary extraction uses solvents or flushing with water.

B. Primary extraction may leave as much as two-thirds of the total oil deposit below ground.

What is an important factor that determines whether the average citizen of a developed country will produce more or less trash? A. How many people live in the country. B. The cost of disposing the trash. C. By following the Trash Track project. D. Because less is consumed, less waste in generated.

B. The cost of disposing the trash.

What is the direct cause of death for the aquatic animals during eutrophication? A. toxic secretions by bacteria B. a loss of dissolved oxygen in the water C. drainage of their habitat D. use of all available CO2 by the growing algae

B. a loss of dissolved oxygen in the water

When sulfur reacts with oxygen it forms sulfur dioxide, a type of air pollution. Therefore, sulfur dioxide is ______. A. a primary pollutant B. a secondary pollutant C. a volatile organic compound D. is a product that is less harmful than the reactants

B. a secondary pollutant

How has acid deposition affected the northeastern U.S. terrestrial and aquatic systems? A. by increasing the amount of acid rain while decreasing the occurrence of acid snow, sleet, and hail B. by accelerating the rate of eutrophication C. by increasing the amount of nutrients such as calcium and potassium available to land plants D. Primary pollutants that end up as sulfuric and nitric acid secondary pollutants stay near point source once formed.

B. by accelerating the rate of eutrophication

Many pollutants from coal-fired power plants are properly managed today. Which of the following is currently considered to be the biggest threat to the environment? A. sulfur dioxide B. carbon dioxide C. methane gas D. nitrous oxide E. oxygen

B. carbon dioxide

Which of the following diseases has been all but eliminated from the United States because of wastewater treatment plants? A. West Nile virus B. cholera C. lyme disease D. malaria E. yellow fever

B. cholera

Which two pollutants are the top two responsible for lung pollution in the United States? A. VOCs and radon gas B. cigarette smoke and radon gas C. cigarette smoke and VOCs D. methane and carbon monoxide

B. cigarette smoke and radon gas

The Kyoto Protocol sought to limit ______. A. photochemical smog B. greenhouse gas emissions C. ozone D. CFC production

B. greenhouse gas emissions

Incineration can be a problem because _______. A. it takes large areas for storage of waste B. hazardous chemicals can be released in the smoke that is generated C. it requires items are sorted using automated processes D. leaching to the groundwater table can occur

B. hazardous chemicals can be released in the smoke that is generated

What is our primary consumptive (as opposed to nonconsumptive) use of water? A. hydroelectric power generation B. irrigation C. industry D. residential use such as bathing and dishwashing

B. irrigation

If oil accumulates in a body of water in small amounts over time as a result of leaks from boats and runoff from land, then this oil pollution is from _____________. A. point sources B. non-point sources C. household pollution D. agricultural pollution from many neighborhood vegetable gardens

B. non-point sources

The process of _____ turns crude oil into the type of gases that can be used for cooking, in cars, and for other human purposes. Hints A. primary extraction B. refining C. secondary extraction D. exploratory drilling

B. refining

What type of farming has led to the destruction of mangroves? A. sludge B. shrimp farming C. cod in order to compensate for overfishing in Canada D. corn, rice, and wheat, the major grains

B. shrimp farming

Which of the following is an unhealthy mixture of pollutants that forms over cities? A. ozone depleting substances B. smog C. Hadley convective cells D. the thermosphere

B. smog

The main reason that sea levels has risen recently is ______. A. building "The Great Wall of Male" B. thermal expansion C. ocean acidification D. beach erosion and coastal flooding

B. thermal expansion

This layer of the atmosphere contains 75% of the atmosphere's molecules, is closest to the planet's surface, is constantly mixing, and gives us our weather. A. mesosphere B. troposphere C. stratosphere D. thermosphere

B. troposphere

Why is there little to no growth expected for hydropower? A. Hydropower uses a non-renewable resource that is quickly being depleted. B. The cost of generating power is much too high. C. Almost all rivers that can be dammed for power generation have been dammed already. D. Pollution is generated when the dams are in operation is halting their growth.

C. Almost all rivers that can be dammed for power generation have been dammed already.

________ is an energy source that consists of organic material from living or recently living organisms. A. Geothermal energy B. Hydropower C. Biomass D. Fossil fuels

C. Biomass

How can a "final cover" on landfills reduce decomposition of the trash? A. Reduces odor and lets rainwater into the landfill. B. The cap keeps the landfill moist on the inside, preventing decomposition. C. The cap keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash. D. By controlling the amount of water that enters the system.

C. The cap keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash.

Which of the following is true regarding marine reserves? A. They tend to decrease the biomass of organisms in the reserve. B. The average size of reserve organisms was reduced. C. They tend to increase species diversity. D. They tend to increase mortality of reserve organisms.

C. They tend to increase species diversity.

The greenhouse effect is defined as _______. A. an increase in the concentration of atmospheric gases B. a change in Earth's climate C. a warming of Earth's surface by gases that reflect heat to back down to the planet rather than allowing it to escape into space D. an increase in Earth's average surface temperature

C. a warming of Earth's surface by gases that reflect heat to back down to the planet rather than allowing it to escape into space

Which of these would be an example of mitigation rather than adaptation for global climate change? A. building a sea wall in the Maldives to prevent flooding B. building and maintaining preserves in endangered habitats to make sure they do not disappear C. building more wind turbines to generate energy from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels D. digging deep wells to get access to more water for agriculture if rainfall in an area should drop off

C. building more wind turbines to generate energy from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels

Most of the indoor air pollution in the homes of people in developing countries comes from ______. A. heating and cooling systems B. cigarette smoke and radon C. burning fuel wood D. volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

C. burning fuel wood

Incineration of garbage involves __________. A. transporting it to other states and countries B. recycling it C. burning it D. burying it

C. burning it

Which of the following technologies has helped us to reduce the amount of emissions released by vehicles? A. by using oil refineries to process the oil B. carbon capture C. catalytic converters D. clean coal technologies

C. catalytic converters

Which of the fossil fuels is most abundant on Earth? A. crude oil B. natural gas C. coal D. electricity

C. coal

Most biomass-fueled power plants produce electricity and heat that can be used by people in a process known as _______. A. pyrolysis B. co-firing C. cogeneration D. decomposition and fermentation

C. cogeneration

Which of the following methods for conservation allows businesses and home to make use of wasted heat from traditional heating and cooling systems? A. hydraulic fracturing B. consumer assistance to recycle and save act C. cogeneration D. meltdown

C. cogeneration

Julie has decided to become more environmentally friendly, and so she turns off all her lights when they are not in use and unplugs all her electronic devices at night. This is an example of __________. A. cogeneration B. energy efficiency C. energy conservation D. the rebound effect

C. energy conservation

Which of the following is an alternative liquid fuel produced from biomass? A. gasoline B. cogeneration C. ethanol D. corn

C. ethanol

Which of these forms of energy does not originate from radiation emitted by the sun? A. biomass B. fossil fuels C. geothermal D. wind

C. geothermal

What is the value of using models in science? A. models only provide solutions to problems that are caused by anthropogenic disturbance B. computer models can produce better estimates of current and past climates than collecting data C. models have predictive capabilities and can forecast different scenarios D. models are so hypothetical that they have little value in predicting climate change

C. models have predictive capabilities and can forecast different scenarios

The goal of an industrial ecologist is to __________. A. to focus mainly on life-cycle analysis B. make industry more profitable regardless of environmental impact C. reduce the waste in industrial systems D. reduce e-waste

C. reduce the waste in industrial systems

When we reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream, it is called __________. A. by having waste diverted to a leachate treatment system B. the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act C. source reduction D. recycling

C. source reduction

Coal has had many uses over the course of history. Most recently, it is used in industrialized societies _______. A. for coal-fired steam engines B. to heat homes and cook food C. to provide electricity

C. to provide electricity

Which of the following types of energy is considered a "new renewable"? A. biomass B. coal C. wind D. hydropower

C. wind

What percentage of Earth's water is available for drinking and irrigation? A. 100% B. 97.5% C. 71% D. 2.5%

D. 2.5%

Which of the following policy recommendations by the two authors would most directly lower the risk of climate change? A. Revenue transfers to offset high energy costs B. Regulations to mandate 25% higher energy efficiency for buildings C. An investment program that supported solar energy research D. A carbon tax that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%

D. A carbon tax that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%

_____ is the process of recovering organic waste through decomposition. A. Recycling B. Recovery C. Waste stream D. Composting

D. Composting

Green's preferred policy for addressing climate change is a shift to taxing greenhouse gas emissions. What does he describe as a benefit of this approach? A. Emission taxes would require new institutional frameworks to prevent fraud. B. Emission taxes can best be used on a national scale. C. Emission taxes would shift a portion of revenue generation from consumption to production. D. Emission taxes create economy-wide incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

D. Emission taxes create economy-wide incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Why are warming temperatures causing a vicious cycle that leads to more warming? A. warming temperatures cause higher sea levels and coastal flooding B. Global warming increases the planet's albedo leading to more global warming. C. Ice and snow absorb light and as they melt Earth produces more carbon dioxide. D. Ice and snow reflect light and as they melt Earth absorbs more of the sun's rays.

D. Ice and snow reflect light and as they melt Earth absorbs more of the sun's rays.

Why do industries tend to produce so much waste even though it is not the most environmentally efficient way to do business? A. There are more sources for industrial solid waste in the U.S. then there are sources for municipal solid waste. B. Most industries do not use approved methods of waste disposal and is therefore not included as a major category of waste. C. Industry ecologists do not recommend streamlining industrial waste. D. In most cases there is no financial incentive for becoming more environmentally efficient in terms of waste disposal.

D. In most cases there is no financial incentive for becoming more environmentally efficient in terms of waste disposal.

During peak usage, what happens to the cost of electricity? A. It depends on where the power plant is located. B. Cost of electricity always stays the same. C. It almost always decreases. D. It almost always increases. E. It depends on the time of the year.

D. It almost always increases.

Maria wakes up in the morning and takes a shower, drinks a glass of water, washes her clothes in the laundry machine, and then goes to work. Which of the following describes Maria's water use appropriately? A. Maria's water use in nonconsumptive. B. Maria's water use leaves no ecological footprint. C. Maria uses no fresh water for these activities. D. Maria's water use is consumptive.

D. Maria's water use is consumptive.

Ocean currents can affect climate. One major downwelling specifically responsible for keeping Europe warmer than it would otherwise be is known as ________________. A. El Nino Southern Oscillation B. thermohaline circulation C. La Nina D. North Atlantic Deep Water

D. North Atlantic Deep Water

What is the difference between weather and climate? A. Weather occurs in the northern hemisphere while climate occurs in the southern hemisphere. B. Weather occurs over seasons and years while climate occurs over hours and days. C. Weather and climate are used interchangeably. D. Weather is local and occurs over a short period of time, hours and days, while climate occurs over large geographic areas and longer periods of time such as seasons and years

D. Weather is local and occurs over a short period of time, hours and days, while climate occurs over large geographic areas and longer periods of time such as seasons and years

What is Hubbert's peak? A. the reserves-to-production ratio B. peak oil C. the source of the world's largest coal deposit D. a prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery coupled with demand, of when a country's oil production will reach a maximum and then start to decline

D. a prediction, based on rates of extraction and new discovery coupled with demand, of when a country's oil production will reach a maximum and then start to decline

Which alternative energy source accounts for the largest percent of world production? A. nuclear energy B. oil C. hydropower D. biomass

D. biomass

Which type of energy is most commonly used in the homes of those living in the poorest nations? A. nuclear power B. electricity C. geothermal energy D. biomass energy

D. biomass energy

Where does settling of solids occur at a wastewater treatment facility? A. bar screen B. aeration basin C. aquifer D. clarifier E. injection well

D. clarifier

The pattern of atmospheric conditions found across a relatively large geographic region over a long period of time is _______. A. vertical mixing B. convective air currents C. weather D. climate

D. climate

The conversion of organic waste to mulch or humus usable for enriching soil by encouraging natural biological processes of decomposition in a controlled manner is called _______. A. brownfield B. recycling C. life-cycle analysis D. composting

D. composting

The concentrations of greenhouse gases in the past have been evaluated using _______. A. gas concentrations in the present atmosphere B. ocean circulation currents C. evaluating human activity since the industrial revolution D. gas bubbles trapped in ice

D. gas bubbles trapped in ice

Where is electricity made at a coal-fired power plant? A. silo B. boiler C. cooling tower D. generator E. control room

D. generator

The best solution to the solid waste problem is _______. A. landfills B. recycling C. incineration D. source reduction

D. source reduction

Bottle bills, legislation that requires a deposit and then allows consumers to return bottles and cans to stores after use and receive a refund, are __________. A. part of the problem, adding material to the waste stream B. common inside the United States C. mandatory in this country D. successful in reducing beverage container litter by up to 84% and overall litter by up to 64%

D. successful in reducing beverage container litter by up to 84% and overall litter by up to 64%

Most of the productivity of the ocean occurs in or on the _____________. A. the limnetic zone B. ocean floor, in the benthic zone C. middle layer of the ocean called the pelagic zone D. uppermost layer of the ocean called the photic zone

D. uppermost layer of the ocean called the photic zone

Of the renewable energy resources, which is growing the fastest? A. geothermal B. biogas C. solar D. wind

D. wind

this oil spill was the worst in US history

Deepwater Horizon (BP)

This US catastrophe resulted from poor farming and grazing techniques

Dust Bowl

this is a fuel supply that contains 85% gasoline

E-85

What does the Kanapaha Wastewater Treatment Facility use to disinfect the treated water? A. acetic acid B. ultraviolet radiation C. X-rays D. iodine E. chlorine

E. chlorine

All fossil fuels, including coal, are considered an indirect form of ____________ energy. A. renewable B. nuclear C. geothermal D. wind E. solar

E. solar

this acronym means energy returned divided by energy invested; has to be >1 to stay in business

EROI; natural gas better eoi than corn ethanol

this is the waste produced from using hydrogen fuel cells

H2O

this is an international panel that reports on how climate change influences biomes and economies

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change